Publication date:
A 77-year-old man has today been sentenced for six charges relating to non-recent sexual offences committed while he worked as history teacher at Richmond Lodge Girls’ grammar school, which no longer exists, on the Malone Road in Belfast.
The Judge sentenced William Lloyd-Lavery to two years of imprisonment and 10 years on the Sex Offenders Register for six sexual offences committed in the 1970s.
PPS Senior Public Prosecutor Jenny Burns paid tribute to the victims for their bravery in coming forward.
“The victims made this conviction possible by virtue of their courage in coming forward. We know this is a daunting and difficult thing to do. We thank them for engaging with police and our prosecutors. Further, for their effort in going through the criminal justice process and giving evidence in court.
“This offender targeted young girls in school. They should have been safe in his care, instead he exploited his position to indecently assault them.
“The PPS worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland as they investigated, to bring Lloyd-Lavery before the court and build a robust case against him.
“The PPS takes cases involving sexual offences extremely seriously. We will carefully consider every file we receive from police.
“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter when, can come forward to police at any time. Victims will be listened to and treated with respect. We will pursue a prosecution where the evidence allows us to do so. We hope the conclusion of this case goes some way to illustrate this.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- All decisions by the PPS are taken strictly in accordance with the Test for Prosecution which involves two stages. The Test for Prosecution is met if, in relation to an identifiable suspect, the available evidence is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of a conviction (the Evidential Test) and if prosecution is in the public interest (the Public Interest Test). The Evidential Test must be passed first before the Public Interest Test is considered. Further information can be found in the PPS Code for Prosecutors.
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